Lewiston Christmas Walk is now under way

The
annual Lewiston
Christmas Walk,
hosted by the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, is taking
place this weekend and next in the Village of Lewiston.

Thousands
come to Lewiston each year to welcome Santa, observe the lighting of
the Christmas tree, visit the beautifully decorated storefronts on
Center Street, and enjoy the charm and unique character of the
village.

One
of the highlights of the Christmas Walk is Santa's arrival by
helicopter, sponsored by Rainbow Air. He'll fly into Academy Park
on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 11:30 a.m. (weather permitting). This holiday
event has grown into something the community and retailers look
forward to every year.

Center
Street will be alive with musicians and carolers on Saturday and
Sunday, both outside and inside various businesses.

Check
out the Niagara University carolers and WNIA Radio from 10 a.m. until
noon Saturday, Dec. 1, outside of Mangia Café & Bakery on Center
Street.

Also
on Saturday, Stu Stu Studio Photography will be available to take
each guest's picture with Santa from noon until 4 p.m. at the
"Lewiston Wintergarden" (aka The Binational Peace Garden).
Digital downloads of images will be available for purchase for $3
each.

Also,
stop by the Stu Stu Studio table to enter its raffle for a chance to
win a family portrait session (a $175 value). Gift certificates will
also be available for purchase.

New
this year, on Saturday, Dec. 8, and Sunday, Dec. 9, Santa Claus will
greet children from noon until 3 p.m. in the "Lewiston
Wintergarden."

Take
a look at the Santa when you see him. He just might resemble a
familiar elected official in Lewiston.

Also,
visit the petting zoo outside of The Country Doctor on Saturday, from
1 to 4 p.m. This feature is sponsored by Ellicott Development.

Don't
forget, the Town of Lewiston's ice rink will be open at Academy
Park; Santa will receive letters via special mailboxes outside of
Angel to Apple and Town Hall American Bistro on Center Street; and
Lewiston retailers will offer special sales throughout the month.

•The
Historical Association of Lewiston's eighth annual Tour of Homes is
scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1 and 2, from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. at select addresses in Lewiston.

The
theme for the 2012 Tour of Homes is "A Town and Country Christmas."
It will feature six homes, each dressed in holiday finery by Western
New York's most notable designers and retailers. Each home will
also feature at least two tablescapes offering holiday decorating
ideas.

Tour
of Homes ticketholders are invited to attend a dessert sampling and
cocktail reception from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Barton
Hill Hotel & Spa. Desserts will be provided by DiCamillo Bakery
and the Village Bake Shoppe, with "poinsettia cocktails"
compliments of Supermarket Liquors & Wines and Wegmans -
Niagara Falls.

The
Tour of Homes is self-guided. Trolley service for ticketholders will
be available from the Barton Hill Hotel & Spa, compliments of
Great Lakes Real Estate.